The Effects of Honey and Cinnamon Mixture on Improving the Quality of Life in Breast Cancer

Abstract

Objective: Improving the quality of life in any patients suffering from cancer is regarded as the main goal of their treatment. In the present study, the effect of honey and cinnamon mixture on the quality of life in patients with breast cancer was investigated. Materials and Methods: The present clinical trial study was performed on 119 women with breast cancer, age range of 20-60, in the pain and palliative care clinic to receive complementary therapy. Initially, the patients' quality of life was specified using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30) questionnaire. Then, all the patients consumed a mixture of honey and cinnamon powder three times per day for 1 week. At the end of treatment, the patients refilled the questionnaire out again and any improvements in patients ` quality of life were analyzed by comparing patients' quality of life before and after intervention. SPSS statistical software was used. Results: The data provided by 117 patients was analyzed, because of refusing 2 patients to participate in the study. The patients' mean age was 48.58 +/- 7.6 years old. Their average weight and height were 52.81 +/- 5.4 kg and 159.09 +/- 7.3 cm, respectively. In 84.6% of cases, a surgical intervention was performed. Assessment of patients' quality of life before and after intervention indicated significant improvements in 23 criteria and, no significant improvements in 7 criteria. Overall health and quality of life improved significantly after treatment. Conclusion: Using honey and cinnamon mixture for one week can improve most of the criteria addressing the quality of life in women with breast cancer.